In a conversation with representatives of the Italian community, the Pope lamented a “culture of depopulation”.
Pope Francis once again criticized the low birth rates in some Mediterranean countries. Having children is a duty to survive, to progress, the head of the Catholic Church in the Vatican emphasized Saturday, according to Kathpress. Addressing representatives of an association that promotes small and medium-sized communities in Italy, the Pope lamented a “culture of depopulation”. Everyone can have a dog, but you need to have children, he appealed.
“We must take the birth rate problem seriously because the future of the country is at stake.” In his speech, he also expressed concern about the inequality of opportunities for residents of rural areas. For financial reasons, this significant part of the population does not have the same resources at its disposal as, for example, larger communities. This triggers a vicious circle: the lack of opportunities forces part of the population with a business spirit to abandon these areas. The elderly and those without alternatives were left behind. “As a result, the need for social assistance is growing in these areas, while the resources to respond to it are dwindling,” the pope said.
But the environment is also affected by this phenomenon. Due to the depopulation of rural areas, they could no longer be adequately maintained. Their destruction is becoming the cause of catastrophes, especially given the increasing frequency of extreme weather conditions. “In the fragility of people and the environment, we recognize that everything is connected,” said Francisco. When looking for solutions, seemingly different phenomena must be considered together. (APA)